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Posted on: October 26, 2017

Former Carle Place FD Treasurer Arrested for Allegedly Stealing more than $60,000 from Department

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a former treasurer for the Carle Place Fire Department has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $60,000 from the department over the course of four years.

William Weingarten, 65, was arraigned today before Judge William Hohauser on charges of:

Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony)

Two counts of Forgery in the Second Degree (a D felony)

Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a D felony)

Two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (an E felony)

Two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (an E felony)

Official Misconduct (an A misdemeanor)

The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court November 16. If convicted of the top count, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

“These funds – more than $60,000 – were intended for vital fire department services but instead were allegedly pilfered by this defendant and used for frivolous purchases like iTunes and NASCAR,” DA Singas said. “Stealing from volunteer fire companies, which do critical life-saving work to protect our communities, is an especially outrageous crime, and we will vigorously prosecute this case.”

DA Singas said that between January 1, 2014 and September 24, 2017 the defendant, a former treasurer for the Carle Place Fire Department, allegedly used his department-issued credit card to make unauthorized purchases totaling $61,589.37. Most of the purchases consisted of Apple iTunes charges. Additional purchases were made to pay for a NASCAR membership, automobile parts, gasoline, electronics and meals at restaurants.

Before resigning as treasurer, the defendant served 22 years with the department. As treasurer, his duties were to maintain the books, issue checks and make deposits for the department.

The fire department’s board referred this case to the NCDA on September 21, 2017, based upon its review of an external audit of the department’s finances.

Deputy Chief of DA Singas’ Public Corruption Bureau, Robert L. Cavallo is prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Peter Rubin, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.